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Note: I have been sick this week, so you get an abbreviated version of the NL West Report.
NL West Report
Arizona (57-48, 2nd, L1, 4.0 GB)
Last Week: 4-2. 2-1 vs. Rockies. 2-1 @ Padres.
You Should Know: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick will be used as an Arizona Fall League facility this fall.
Divisional Change: No change.
This Week: 3 game road series @ Giants. 3 game road series @ Dodgers.
Deadline Status: BUYERS, albeit a controlled one
Targets: A relief pitcher, such as Jason Isringhausen or Todd Coffey. An infielder to relieve the loss of Stephen Drew, such as Jamey Carroll. They have also been linked to Carlos Pena, who would be a rare known quantity at first base, and Wandy Rodriguez, who would be under control in future years. Whoever is acquired, Kevin Towers will not mortgage the future for additions for a low percentage divisional push.
Transactions: Released OF Wily Mo Pena (7/24). Oprtioned RHP Ryan Cook to AAA Reno (7/25). Signed 3rd overall pick Trevor Bauer and assigned him to High-A Visalia (7/26). Signed FA IF Angel Berroa and called up OF Collin Cowgill from AAA Reno (7/26).
Injuries: Activated RHP J.J.Putz from the 15-day DL (7/26). Placed IF Geoff Blum on the disabled list again, this time with a fractured pinky finger. Gerardo Parra has not played since last Saturday, when he left the game at Coors Field with a wrist injury. He is day-to-day. Stephen Drew underwent season ending surgery on his ankle last Friday.
Los Angeles (47-57, 4th, L1, 13.5 GB)
Last Week: 2-4. 2-1 vs. Nationals. 2-1 vs. Rockies. Both Dodgers losses came in starts by Hiroki Kuroda, though he threw quality starts in both and lowered his season ERA to 3.11 with the losing efforts.
You Should Know: Despite the bad publicity they have gotten, the Dodgers still rank 5th out of 16 NL teams in attendance.
Divisional Change: No change.
This Week: 3 game home series vs. Diamondbacks. 3 game road series @ Padres.
Deadline Status: SELLERS, for the first time in almost 20 years
Potential Trade Chips: Hiroki Kuroda, Jamey Carroll, Rafael Furcal. That's about all that would draw interest elsewhere. Ned Colletti is going to try to pawn off Matt Guerrier on someone, but the middle reliever is still owed about $10million on his 3-year, $12million deal.
Transactions: None.
Injuries: RHP Kenley Jansen was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat Wednesday. IF Juan Uribe has missed the last four games with abdomen pain. RHP Jonathan Broxton still has not been able to throw. IF Casey Blake will start a rehab assignment in Class A soon.
San Diego (46-60, 5th, W1, 15.5 GB)
Last Week: 2-5. 1-3 @ Phillies. 1-2 vs. Diamondbacks. The Padres won the finale to avoid a sweep in both games.
You Should Know: After going 28-22 in one run games last season, San Diego is just 14-21 this year.
Divisional Change: Lost 2.5 games to first place San Francisco.
This Week: 4 game road series @ Phillies. 3 game home series vs. Diamondbacks.
Deadline Status: Sellers, and an aggressive one at that.
Potential Trade Chips: Heath Bell, Mike Adams, Aaron Harang, Ryan Ludwick, Chad Qualls, Bell will almost assuredly be dealt, while the price for Adams remains prohibitively high for buyers. I would be surprised if the other three don't go somewhere.
Transactions: Recalled 1B Kyle Blanks and optioned 1B Anthony Rizzo (7/22). Lost OF Mike Baxter on waivers to the New York Mets (7/22). Recalled RHP Pat Neshek and IF Luis Martinez from AAA Tucson and optioned C Kyle Phillips to AAA Tucson (7/26).
Injuries: C Nick Hundley has been practicing throwing, fielding and hitting and should be near a rehab assignment any day now. C Rob Johnson is day-to-day with a sore hand after being hit on a foul tip. LHP Clayton Richard has resumed throwing, but he has yet to do so off a mound.
San Francisco (61-44, 1st, W2)
Last Week: 4-2. 2-1 vs. Brewers. 2-1 @ Phillies.
You Should Know: The Giants are at least .500 vs every opponent this season except the Braves (0-3), Marlins (0-3) and Nationals (3-4).
Divisional Change: No change.
This Week: 3 game home series @ Reds. 3 game home series vs. Diamondbacks. 1st game of 4 game home series vs. Phillies.
Deadline Status: BUYERS.
Targets: Already acquired the biggest fish, Carlos Beltran. They will also be looking for a catcher - a sweep of the Reds this weekend could aid an acquisition of Ramon Hernandez. They have also recently gotten on the trail of Rafael Furcal. They were in on B.J. Upton, but that is likely cooled with the Beltran addition.
Transactions: Traded RHP Zack Wheeler for RF Carlos Beltran, designated UT Bill Hall for assignment and optioned IF Emmanuel Burriss to AAA Fresno (7/27).
Injuries: LHP Jonathan Sanchez made his third rehab start Wednesday and is close to returning. UT Mark DeRosa is on track to return sometime in August from a torn wrist tendon.